Shloka 34
Chatra–Upānah Dāna: Origin Narrative
Jamadagni–Reṇukā–Sūrya Saṃvāda
पर्वत उवाच ग्रामे चाधिकृत: सो5स्तु खरयानेन गच्छतु । शुन: कर्षतु वृत्त्यर्थे यस्ते हरति पुष्करम्
parvata uvāca grāme cādhikṛtaḥ so 'stu kharayānena gacchatu | śunaḥ karṣatu vṛttyarthe yas te harati puṣkaram ||
Parvata berkata: “Biarlah dia dilantik memegang jawatan di kampung, namun berjalan ke sana sini dengan kereta keldai. Dan demi menyara hidup, biarlah dia dipaksa membajak dengan anjing—dialah yang mencuri terataimu.”
पर्वत उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse conveys a dharmic principle of deterrent justice: theft—especially of another’s valued possession—warrants a punishment that both restrains the offender and publicly marks the wrongdoing, using social humiliation and hard labor as corrective measures.
Parvata proposes a specific penalty for the person who stole ‘your lotus’: the offender should be made a low-status village functionary, forced to travel on a donkey-cart, and compelled to plough using dogs—images meant to signify disgrace and harsh, corrective labor.